Theatrical scenery



Jan. 4,1927. 1,612,858

I H. DRYDiEN Y I THEATRICAL; SGENERY Filed Jan. 28. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 7 1 ATTORNEY H. DRYDEN THEATRICAL SCENERY Jan. 4 1927. 1,612,858

Filed Jan. 28. 1925 2 Sheets-Sfieet 2 z mgmm ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

HELEN DRYDEN, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

TI-I EATRICAL SCENERY.

My invention relates to theatrical scenery; and its objects are to simplify the arrangement of stage settings, to efiect quick changes of scenery at a minimum of effort, to assemble and rapidly display a sequence of pre-arranged scenes, to assemble and disassemble a stage scene or set while maintaining vertically the sections thereof, to utilize for scenery at different times the front and rear of each section of the set, and to effect re-arrangements and modifications of scenery sets so as to render more effective the operation of the several parts and to cheapen the cost of production.

On the theatrical stage it is necessary at times to effect quick changes of scenery and various devices have been employed to efiect such results. Such devices, however, are unwieldy and involved, and require'much time and labor for their effective operation, In

' the changing of an ordinaryscene set, much time is consumed in locating in proper position and attaching the various sections forming the set and the services of several operators and considerable effort are re quired in order to effect the changes. Then again, well known arrangements whereby the stage may be revolved or elevated so as to present to the view of the audience an-- therewith.

other scene are cumbrous, awkward and expensive. T

In my invention, by bringing in close proximity two co-operating stacks of scenery sections, each rotatably mounted, I am enabled to shift rapidly a considerable number of scenes in sequence. This I accomplish by depicting on each'face of the sec-' tion a scenic representation. The entire arrangement is similar to that of two books placed in juxtaposition so that the edges of the leaves forming the back of the scene will overlap, and the adjacent leaves will form the side sections. By turning the side sections back upon the rear sections a new scene is disclosed, which 1s completed bythe adjacent facesof the pages forming the side sections. By my invention the amount of scenery needed is greatly reduced, the weight of each section is lightened and the shift of the scenes is made quickly and noiselessly with a minimum of effort. There is' also a savingover prior constructions ncost of material, transportation, installation, repairs and operation. My invention is especially adapted to panoramas, pantomimes or ballets where many quick changes of scenic effects are required, orany dramatic representation requiring fantastic or conventionalized scenery. I 7

Attention is hereby directed to the drawing, in which similar numerals-of designa tion refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Fi re 1 is a front elevation of a stage showing the utilization of my improved invention;

Fig. 2 is a View of one of the posts and rotatable mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the posts together with adj acent scenery sections formin part of the set;'and

Big. 4. is a plan view of the two posts and scenerysections attached thereto, shown in operative position.

Referring to the drawing, the posts 5 and 6 are each vertically mounted upon a base 32, which is preferably secured to the stage 7 by means of lag screws 8 or in any suit able manner. The posts 5 and 6 are each rotatable on their respective bases 32 and screws 11" and 12 respectively, and rotate 1 v The collars 9 and 10 are so spaced as to admit the ready securing thereto of the sections of scenery, each of which is securedto said collars by means of the angle irons 13, one end of each angle iron extending through an opening '14 in the collar and having a nut 15 engaging with the threaded end 16. The other end of each angle iron 13 passes through an opening in the plate 17 and terminates in the head 18, the plate 17 being attached to the topor bottom edge of the frame of one of the sections. Each of the sections is thus pivotally securedat the inner edge thereof top and bottom by means of these angle irons or links 13. By reason of such mounting each of the sections rotates with the post 5 and can be adjusted in various positions as shown in Fig. 4. Knobs 19 aflixed to the base of. each section facilitate its movement back and forth on the stage.

The assembling and, changing of the scenery sets is eflected as follows: In Figs. 1 and 4 a scene of an interior is displayed comprising one face of each of the sections 20 20 20 and 20 In Fig. 1 the posts 5 and 6 are exposed and may be seen just below the proscenium arch 31, but if desired may be covered by top curtains or ceilings (not shown). The outer edges of the sections may be covered by the Wings or curtains 27, 28, 29 and 30. To change the scene the sections 20 and 20 are moved forward and rotated into the positions occupied by 20 and 20 respectively, which sections are i this manner, a sequence of a considerable number of scenes may be effected, and as is obvious, the scenes may be quickly changed Without lowering the curtain or darkening the stage, all that is necessary being for one operator to bring about such change.

WVhile I have described my invention wit-l1 particular reference to-the preferred embodiment shown, I by no means desire so to limit my invention, it being obvious that various changes and modifications could be made Without departing from the spirit and purpose of my invention.

What l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A set for theatrical scenes comprising a plurality of upright posts, a plurality of reversible scene sections hingedly mounted on-each of said posts, said posts being arranged so that adjacent sections thereof may have their contiguous edges moved in j uXta-relation and whereby the scene sections not employed for certain scenic displays may lie in close compact relation, and means permitting said sections to move bodily about the axis of said posts.

2. A set for theatrical scenerycomprising a plurality of supports, a plurality of reversible scene-sections on each support, each section being pivotly connected intermediateits sideedges-to its respective support, said supports and sections being so arranged that the side edges of each section on each support may be moved contiguous to and between opposing side edges of other sections on the same and adjacent supports to form a continuous unbroken scene and sequence of scenes.

A set for theatrical scenery comprising a plurality of supports, a plurality of reversible co-operating scene sections for each support, a loose pivotal connection-connecting each scene section with its respective support intermediate the side edges of the scene section, said supports and sections being so arranged that the side edges of the sections on each support may be moved to junta-position with the side edges of other sections to form a continuous unbroken succession of scenes.

A set for theatrical scenes comprising a plurality of supports, a plurality of reversible co-operative scene sections for each support, each of said sections being pivotly connected intermediate its side edges to its respective support, said supports and sections being so arranged that the side edges of the sections on each support may be moved to juxtaposition with the side edges of other sections to form a continuousunbroken scene, and means permitting the sections .of eachsupport to revolve about the axis thereof,

5. A set for theatrical scenery-comprising 1 other sections to form a continuous unsupport, and links pivoted at one end to said supports and at their other ends to said scene SGOtlOl'lS whereby the side edges of the section-s on each support may co-operate with adjacent sideedges of other sections to form a continuous unbroken scene.

7 .A set for theatrical scenes comprising a plurality of vertically disposed posts, a plurality of reversible cooperating scene sections on each post, and links on the :posts and pivotly connected respective to each section :intermediate the side edges thereof, wherebywthe side edges of the sections .on each .post maybe movedcontiguous to and bet-ween opposing side edges of other sections on the same and adjacent posts to form a continuous unbroken scene and sequence of scenes.

8. A set for theatrical scenes comprising a plurality of vertically disposed posts, a

plurality of reversible co-operating scene sections on each post, and links pivoted at one endto said support and at their other ends to said scene sections and means permitting said posts to be rotated whereby the side edges of the sections may be brought .in juXta-position to form a continuous unbroken scene.

9. Asetfor theatrlcal scenes comprising a plurality of vertically disposed posts, a whereby the side edges of the sections on plurality of reversible coeoperating scene each post may successively co-operate With sections on each post, and links carried by adjacentside edges of other sections to form 1 the posts and pivoted respectively to each a continuous unbroken succession of scenes.

section intermediate its side edges, and In testimony whereof I have hereunto set means permitting said sections to revolve my hand this 27th day of January, 1925. about the axis of their respective supports, HELEN DRYDEN. 

